Going to have to agree, Iskander gave many great speeches throughout fate/zero, it was truly tragic when he died.

Technically he was already dead, in the Holy Grail War he was basically just a spirit brought back to have his wish granted which obviously didn't happen. He couldn't operate outside of his master's as well as his own mana pool or he would disappear into sparkles, dust. If he did survive without Waver (which by the way only the Archer class can survive without a master for any notable amount of time [3 days]) he would either have to find a new master fast or end up disintegrating hours later. Essentially the heroic spirits go to a hall of heroes where they reside forever before and after each Grail War. Nice eh?

Kenshiro... why? He along with his brother Toki invented and perfected the concept of Kung Fu Jesus over a DECADE before the internet. Not to mention his series directly lead to Dragonball/Z transforming from a comedy adventure series into an action marital arts series in order to regain readership & popularity. it also inspired the series epic powerups/screaming matches as well as goku's Super Saiyin transformation. Dragonball Z overall Aped the fist of the north star series rather extensively.

I would have to go with Harlock as most influential. WHether he is playing the hero, anti-hero, or villain, he is basicly the architype for the character that wins on resolve alone, Harlock doesn't see loosing as a possibility and therefore he can't. He is also a character who is purposely cool. I believe that he influenced many characters such as Kamina, Spike, Gene Starwind, the Galactic Pretty Boy (forgot his name) from Star Diver and others.

I would also say that Lupin the 3rd is a very influential character. He has a very laid back attitude, is very funny, but when it comes down to it he is very good at what he does. this is the same type of characteristics you see in Kiske Urahara and Kakashi.

I would have to go with Harlock as most influential. WHether he is playing the hero, anti-hero, or villain, he is basicly the architype for the character that wins on resolve alone, Harlock doesn't see loosing as a possibility and therefore he can't. He is also a character who is purposely cool. I believe that he influenced many characters such as Kamina, Spike, Gene Starwind, the Galactic Pretty Boy (forgot his name) from Star Diver and others.

Agreed. As the lyrics say, By throwing his life away, he lives on. Not only that but his series was also influential in turning the Jolly Rodger from a symbol of fear into a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and hope. He is also pretty much the Archetypal Space pirate by which all others are judged.

Mm-hm... Homura Akemi is the most infuential anime character for me...
Why? Because she never gave up. She kept on giving it her all to change Madoka's fate... she touched me! ._. I seriously looks up to her.

I have to say Naruto cos he never gives up also edward his quest to get his body back aww ye dont forget hyounin kouma i love that guy from steins gate other favs are ichigo from bleach luffy from one piece.

She pretty much MADE anime popular outside of Japan (mainly the West) and after 20 years, she's STILL very well known and beloved, though the anime hasn't aired in many years, and the manga is only now being reprinted. All ages, races and genders love this series and there's something for everyone in it.

Alright now don't bite my head off, as I understand she's not an "anime" character, but she IS a drawn character from Japan... how about Hello Kitty?

HK certainly stands as the most iconic, popular, beloved, and recognizable character to ever come out of Japan, and paved the way for all other Japanese sensations, such as Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and DBZ. There is not a single type of product on the planet that has not been made in a Hello Kitty variety, hence : http://www.kittyhell.com

Are we talking influential to anime or influential to pop culture?

Anime - I'm going with Sailor Moon. Been 20 years and she's still taking my money. Also pioneered the entire magical girl genre.

Pop Culture - If Hello Kitty isn't anime-enough of an answer, I'm going with Pokemon. Masses of parents for the past 20 years have raised children who were at some point obsessed with Pokemon. DBZ may have been earth-shattering to those who watched, but my parents certainly have no clue who the hell Goku is... they damn sure know a Pikachu when they see one though.

She pretty much MADE anime popular outside of Japan (mainly the West) and after 20 years, she's STILL very well known and beloved, though the anime hasn't aired in many years, and the manga is only now being reprinted. All ages, races and genders love this series and there's something for everyone in it.

Kimihiro Watanuki from XXXHOLiC: One of the most believable altruistic characters I know in anime. You really get to know him and empathize with his every urge to rescue people, to not just sit idly by and close his eyes to the suffering around him, despite not being anywhere near as omniscient and skilled as Yuuko Ichihara is. I also like Haseo from .hack//Roots (such a well-done rare male tsundere dark hero) & Taizou Hasegawa a.k.a. "Madao" from Gintama (he proves the maxim "no good deed goes unpunished;" always dumped on yet helping others) for similar reasons, characters who make you want to improve yourself. Koyomi Araragi from Bakemonogatari also seems influenced by Watanuki.

She pretty much MADE anime popular outside of Japan (mainly the West) and after 20 years, she's STILL very well known and beloved, though the anime hasn't aired in many years, and the manga is only now being reprinted. All ages, races and genders love this series and there's something for everyone in it.

Come on...How many anime characters/animes/mangas can you say are so outrageously well known, loved and popular after 20 YEARS?

Made Anime popular outside Japan? Sorry, not so

You want to go back that far it would be an American series Robotech with the first season of that as MACROSS.

Macross is what made anime popular outside of Japan.

Still well known series, recently had a new series for its 25th Anniversary (Macross Frontier)

So you want to say it was Macross with Mecha, Love triangles featuring...

Hikaru Ichijyo, Lynn Minmay, Misa Hayase and also Roy Focker who were the most influential!

Macross is quite known, but not on the level that Sailor Moon is, or even close. Even people who don't know anime AT ALL know Sailor Moon, or at least recognize her - she's THAT iconic.

And YES; it did really start the anime craze of the 90's and helped anime to become even more popular, and reach levels of popularity that the West had not known. And the manga was outrageously popular as well! And now, again with the reprint, it's become one of the most popular, if not THE most popular manga again.

All the characters you listed...People who don't watch anime will not know them, nor be able to recognize them. It's utterly different for Sailor Moon. Even people who watch anime won't know them like they'll know Sailor Moon even if they've never seen a single episode, or read a single chapter of Sailor Moon.